Antisana Team Opts For A Beer

December 17, 2013

From: Michael Hamill
Date: December 17, 2013, 2:19:20 PM PST
To: Phil Ershler
Subject: Antisana

Antisana

We’re back in Quito after giving Antisana a go this morning and coming up empty handed. We made it to about 18,000ft after navigating several tricky crevasse sections but were eventually turned above the col by a crevasse in white out conditions. A storm rolled in as we descended and is supposed to dump a lot of snow on the mountain tomorrow. The team really enjoyed the experience of getting off the beaten path on a remote, rugged peak with stunning views and amazing wildlife to conclude the three climbs. We’re off to get a beer and some food to celebrate the trip. I’ve attached a photo of the climb.

Mike

Aconcagua Team 1 Is Ready

December 17, 2013

From: Luke Reilly
Date: December 17, 2013, 12:31:37 PM PST
To: Phil Ershler

Subject: Motley Crew

Team 1 is ready.

Penitentes. Lots of prep work and organizing but we’re off in the morning. Spirits are high. All is well.

-Luke

Ouray Ice Climbing In Full Swing!

December 17, 2013

2011 Mark Allen leading â€œAbridgmentâ€ WI4+ in the Ouray Ice Park. (Photo Tyler Jones)

IMG Guide Mark Allen reports on the status of the Ouray climbing scene:

The 2014 Ouray Colorado Ice climbing has started and is in full season. IMG customers have already enjoyed the early start with a multitude of back country ice climbs available that are in above average seasonal condition.

The first weekend of December, my guest Brian and I took advantage of the early winter and climbed some local area classics. We took onÂ multi-pitch waterfalls as well as mixed sport climbing. The conditions really are some of the best we’ve seen in a decade.

Brian had only two-days to get his fill of ice climbing this Dec. His timing was perfect. He arrived ready and capable after participating in last yearâ€™s 5-day intermediate ice seminar in 2013. With the weather scheduled to arrive the next evening we decided to go for our first big prize right off. Brain was back on the horse and nailed it. All told we climbed 12 pitches of technical ice and mixed terrain in the San Juan mountains. The final day was spent ticking off one and two pitch classics on Camp Bird Road as we were entertained by a fast approaching Colorado storm.

Shortly after, on Dec 14th, the Ouray Ice park opened to the public and IMG is now in full swing. With the combination of the Ice park and the available ice to climb in the back country, the options are wide open for all abilities.Â Come on down and enjoy the comfort of the Ouray Ice park and the adventure of Ourayâ€™s back country Ice. If you have always wanted to try ice climbing, this is the season to do it.

Mark Allen

2 Down, 1 To Go In Ecuador

December 15, 2013

From: Mike Hamill
Date: Sun, 15 Dec 2013 3:28 PM
To:Â Phil Ershler

Mike & team on top of Cayambe

Phil – Just a quick note to let you know we made it to Papallacta and the whole team got up Cayambe in good time. We’re driving to Antisana bc tomorrow to make an attempt the following day. It was windy but clear on Cayambe and the route was in great shape. The team’s grabbing a soak in the hot springs now. I’ll send a few photos from the climb after dinner.

– Mike

Cotopaxi In The Bag

December 12, 2013

Team descending Cotopaxi

From: Michael Hamill
Sent: Thursday, December 12, 2013 4:02 PM
To: Phil Ershler
Subject: Down from Cotopaxi

Phil-

Great day on Cotopaxi. We had 100% success with excellent weather and route conditions. Only 6 people summited today including our 4 so we had the mountain almost to ourselves. We’re down safely to La Cienega, planning to make the drive to Cayembe hut tomorrow.

I attached a photo of the team descending.

– Mike

Ecuador Team Prepares For Summit Bid

December 11, 2013

Jose Ribas refugio

Received the email below from Mike yesterday.Â Tonight they sleep at the Jose Ribas refugio at a bit over 15,500â€™.Â Shortly before midnight, theyâ€™ll be up and walking.Â Two guides and two customers on a completely custom trip â€“ should be fun.Â Hope Mikeâ€™s weather prediction holds.

Phil Ershler

From: Michael Hamill
Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2013 6:53 PM
To: Phil Ershler

Phil- Great training day today and the weather is improving. They both did great with the technical aspects and were fine with the altitude. Heading up to the hut tomorrow for a summit day on the 12th- I’ll send some photos when we’re back down.Â – Mike

Training & Raining

December 9, 2013

Mike & the crew

Word in from Mike & the gang:

From: Michael Hamill
Sent: Monday, December 09, 2013 7:33 PM
To: Phil Ershler

Phil – We had a great hike on Pasachoa today and a relaxing afternoon at Tierra del Volcon. We made great time up Pasachoa. Rainy towards the end of the day and the next day or two is supposed to be rainy but then getting better for our Cotopaxi summit attempt. Training on Cotopaxi tomorrow. All is well here.

Mike

3 Summits Ahead For Ecuador Team

December 9, 2013

Cotopaxi from the gardens of Hacienda San Augustin (Phil Ershler)

IMG Senior Guide, Mike Hamill, arrived in Ecuador Saturday evening with a custom trip of 2 climbers.Â Pretty nice, huh?Â They should have a sweet time.Â Both climbers are quite fit and Mikeâ€™s got them on a schedule which hopefully allows for 3 summits, enough time for acclimatization but not a lot of â€˜relaxation timeâ€™.Â Cotopaxi, Cayambe and Antisana are on their agenda.Â Iâ€™ll let you know what we hear from Mike.

Phil Ershler

Weâ€™ve Switched To U.S.P.S Priority Mail And You Benefit!

Custom IMG 40oz Hydroflask ($35.00)

November 27, 2013

Thanks to the USPS, as soon as your order leaves the IMG Online Store, theyâ€™ll whisk your package promptly to its destination. This service offers fast delivery in 1, 2, or 3 days, depending on where itâ€™s being sent.Â Weâ€™ll have USPS Trackingâ„¢ details in the office just in case thereâ€™s a question or delay.

Plus, they include Saturday delivery and residential delivery in their very affordable rates.Â Calculate your shipping rate at checkout and notice the difference in savings.Â We like the sound of those benefits and you will too!

Visit the IMG Online Store today.

Clarissa Hughes

When The Mountain Says No…

November 27, 2013

Chimborazo in good conditions (Jorge Anhalzer)

Chimborazo remains problematic.Â The guys made the big push last night.Â At just shy of 19000 ft., they decided discretion was the better part of valor and pulled the plug.Â No summit but no one was injured, either.Â Tonight in Banos, at the edge of the high jungle, and Thanksgiving dinner at Romuloâ€™s house tomorrow.

Phil Ershler